Player Ratings As Liverpool Squander Three Points in the Derby

Player Ratings As Liverpool Squander Three Points in the Merseyside Derby

Liverpool drew 1-1 in the Merseyside Derby, dominating their local rivals from start to finish but failing to show it via the score-line. Mohamed Salah got himself on the score-sheet again for his 19th goal of the season, equalling his tally for the entire of last season at Roma, with a stunning solo effort prior to the first-half interval.

In truth, Jurgen Klopp’s side should really been out of sight by the second-half but a lack of cutting edge saw Everton gain a way back into the game when Dejan Lovren conceded a penalty in the final 15 minutes.

Here are the ratings from a frustrating afternoon for The Reds.

Simon Mignolet- 6

Didn’t have anything much to do despite the 1-1 scoreline. Came and collected the ball well from set pieces while rushing out of his goal in the first-half to make a good interception.

Andy Robertson – 8

Good to see him back on the team sheet again and produced a really pleasing performance at both ends of the pitch. Regular out ball down the left-hand side and diligent in his defensive duties.

Joe Gomez – 9

Deserves a lot of praise for a brilliant performance at the back. Showed great strength off the ball to win it back for Liverpool while displaying far more composure and experience on the ball than what his age would suggest. Delivered a superb through ball down the right for Chamberlain, too. Really turned the screw today and continues to look more and more like a player with a bright future ahead of him.

Dejan Lovren – 5

Hardly had a thing to do for the most part and did well with his aerial battles against Calvert-Lewin in the first-half. However, it was ultimately his decision making that cost Liverpool dear. There was no reason for him to make contact with the Everton striker and although a soft decision from the referee, Lovren should never have given him a choice to make.

Ragnar Klavan – 7

Solid performance at the back and was never really troubled by the Everton attack. Continues to do well in the absence of Joel Matip.

Jordan Henderson – 6

Took a lot of late challenges, especially as the game wore on, but showed composure on the ball to keep his side ticking over. More creativity ingenuity needed in the first-half, though. Poor decision to shoot in the final stages of the game from an unlikely angle, especially given he was off balance.

James Milner – 6

Calm in possession yet failed to deliver a cutting edge in the midfield which left a frustrating taste to the first-half. Pretty solid for the most part though, with some good passes through to the front three.

Alex Oxlade Chamberlain – 8

A very bright figure for Liverpool, playing in his preferred central position. Whipped some very dangerous balls into the box only for his teammates to not get the telling contact. Continues to progress as the games wear on.

Sadio Mane – 6

Very bad decision making not to square the ball for his teammates and put Liverpool 2-0 out, and probably out of sight. Ultimately, it was a decision that was equally as costly as Lovren’s penalty incident. On the positive side, he was a menace to the Everton back four, showing his usual pace and flair in attack. Not one of his best games, though.

Mohamed Salah – 9

Another game, another goal. Superlatives don’t do the man justice anymore, with his curling first-half effort taking his tally to 19 for the season. That’s equal to his entire tally for Roma last year and we’re only in December. Caused real problems for the Everton defence before he was subbed off. A little too soon to be taken out the action in the end?

Dominic Solanke – 6

Struggled to really establish himself in the game. There was some nice link-up play with Mane and Salah but other than that he didn’t get the chance to really influence the game as he’d have hoped.